The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-25
STAGE NEWS AND GOSSIP
Holiday Attractions Provided for Seek
ers of Amusement ut the Theaters.
The Soggarth" and Modjeska at the Grand,
THE Night Owls at English's, Hearts
Of Oak" at the Museum-Notes.

a singular error or classlncatlon ana glarlng
misapplication of terms. An amusement. as ac-
curateiy defined, is pleasurable entertain ment,
an agreeable diversion. yet habtually put
| tragedies and emotional dramas of the intense
| and narrowing sort in the same category with
| light comedy and burnt-cork art It is true
that we do not invariably derive pleasure from
| the professedly comic species of play, but that
may be owing to own defective sense of
bumor; at least. il is certain that the author
| meant to xcite smiles and not tears. There
people, doubtless, who experience pleasurable
emotion rather than mere intellectual gratifca-
tion in the contemplation of stage tragedies.
They are of the class who attend funerals for
diversion, and enjoy shedding tears; and
are either in a morbid state of mind
or have themselves been blessed with
such exceptionally bright and uneventful lives
that they find positive relief from the monotony
by comm within the shadow of mimic woes
Such persons, however, are comparatively few
1t Is uncomfortable that healthy minded people
who find the dramas of actual life all they can
witness with composure, should feel an emotion
al satisfaction in viewing vivid representations
of suffering and agonzing SORROWS They may
go to see those plays for a variety Of reasons
but not for amusement 1t isrelated of the wife of
the President that she "weeps visibly" the
SORROWS of stage heroines as depicted by a certain
actress noted for her ability to portray mental
misery in its most aeonizng form. It is not
would describe her sensations on these occasions
amusing. Neither is it to be supposed that
the young woman in Washington audience,
who became violently insane at point in one
of these dramas which resembled tragic incl
dent of her own life, was being amused up to
that moment.
1t is just as we'll to call things by their right
names. If we really feel pleasure in the dis
section of broken hearts and in having them
held up to Us blood raw" as it were by high
pressure actresses and actors then it is proper
enough to speak of the Camille" and "Frou
Frou, and Francesca Da Rimini' and 'Fe-
dora" type of plays amusements. Ii not.
they should be classed under other heads. In
the accurate future it will perhaps be customary
to inquire what particular horror is on the
boards when seeking theatrical infor 70 alton. In
order to accommodate their patrons theatrical
managers may find it necessary to advertise
their special attractions somewhat differently
from the present method. When the theater-
goer feels that his intellectual nature demands a
certain variety of stimulus the morning paper
will inform him whether or not that variety is
being served mp. II he wants to study martial
inidelity the theatrical advertisements will in
form him whether the evenings play Is of that
order; or should he prefer the parting OF lovers,
the betrayal of trusting maidens or the more
lurid spectacle of murders and deaths he
ascertain whether the qualification of his tastes
is possible. But ne will not find the iDforma-
ton under the head of "amusements" 1t will
come rather in agony column. or IS studies
in mental and moral anatomy. When he wants
TO be amused" he will look somewhere else.
"The Soggarth," a Few romantic drama, which
will be seen for the first in this city, at the
Grand. to- morrow afternoon and evening and
Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. is from the
pen of George Darrell an Australian novelist
It made great success in that far-away coun-
try, which, from present appearances, will ba
more than duplicated in this for two companies
are now playing it, and it is the boards of
the Boston Theater for long The story
of the play is located in Ireland and the plot
hanps on the ted murder of an Irish ten
ant by his landlord, and the fastening of the
crime upon the real culpr:t. The discovery is
made through death confession to priest. the
Soggarth, who feels at liberty to disclose what
told him out of the church, although bound
to secrecy as to the disclosures made him
while in prles;Iy robes Mr.. Darrelrs treatment
of this story is entirely unconventional and the
play has been greatly praised for its originality
ana remarkable dramatic strength The play
and its performance has received such compli-
mentary criticism this in all the large cities,
and it has made an unbeatable hit. The com
pany includes people who known here
being especially talented and capable. In it are
Miss Adele Belgrade, formerly a star. and last
here as leading lady in Siberia and with Sal
vin Miss Lillian Conway, who, by the way,
sings lave Marie" in the play; Charles B.
Welles. for long time with Lawrence Barrett;
W. Fl. Thompson. late of Aueustin Days COM
pany, who has made great hit as Silas Crane
Luke Martin, Henry Vandendoff. Henry Holland
and others. From all accounts, THE Soggarth"
can be commended as genuine dramatic at
traction OF unusual excellence. There will be q
Christmas matinee tomorrow afternoon.
A decided novelty in the way of vaudeville
entertainments is presented by the might
Owls" burlesque and novelty company, which
appears at Euglishs tomorrow afternoon and
evening" and until Thursday just why thew
called might Owls" is not explained They
have played in this city, but
their general reputation is that they
give the cleanest. most original and
Attractive entertainment of any of the so-called
specially companies. In the organization are
Miss Louise Dempsey, who was last seen here as
the star in Pop" Mr.. Harry Morris. the Dutch
comedian who starred in "A Capital Prize"
Manchester 81 Jennings. wellknown comedians,
pretty Pauline Bachelor. a versatile and clever
performer May Howard, Lizzie Mulvey Belle
Clifton. the Acme Quartet, Jutan, the famous
aerial artist and others. They e i've a select
speciality bill and conclude with Fred Solomons
burlesque "Adonis Abroad" which is said to be
full of fun and pretty music, and deliberately
costumed Miss Dempsey appears as the bright
particular star in this. They are credited with
giving entertainment which contains nothing
at all Objectionable, and is replete with bright
ness and originality. Since the company was |
organized 1t has been by far the more successful
of any of its kind before the public, and there |
are a number Of them.
Mime. Helena Modjeska. the famous Polish |
actress, will mako her only appearance in Indi-
annapolis this season at the Grand Opera-house
next Thursday night. one performance only, a
change in her route making short stay nee
essary. She needs commentator to theater-
goers for she has long been recognized as one of |
the very few absolutely great actresses who /
have adorned the stage. and the leader in
tragic and emotional roles of the present day.
With the perfect restoration of her health, which
was somewhat impaired by hard work last sea-
son, she is now said to be acting better than ev-
er, conceding that there is always room for i'm
provement and her present season has been
her most successful. Her supporting company
is made up of well-known legitimate people, and
has been praised elsewhere evenly bal
anced and capable organization. The announce
mont is made that she will appear here in 'Dona
DIANA" a play that is to Indianapolis
theater eoers, but II is regarded of the
strongest in her extended repertoire. The play
is a charming comedy conceit, translated from
the Spanish of Moreto by Weseland Marston.